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  • FG seeks forfeiture of Ekweremadu’s 22 properties in Abuja, Dubai, London, US, others

    The Federal Government has applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja for an order of temporary forfeiture of about 22 properties allegedly owned by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu in Abuja, London, the United States and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    In the ex-parte application filed on yesterday by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIPRPP), Ekweremadu is accused of breaching the Code of Conduct for public officers by allegedly failing to declare about 22 properties in his last assets declaration form.

    The application filed pursuant to Sections 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act; 8 of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act and Section 44 (2)(k) of the Constitution, seeks mainly an order for interim forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.

    The ex-parte application was filed for the SPIPRPP by Festus Keyamo (SAN). It prays the court for an order “temporarily attaching/forfeiting the properties listed in Schedule B hereunder to the Federal Government of Nigeria, pending the conclusion of further inquiry/investigation by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property and/or possible arraignment of the respondent (Ekeremadu)”.

    The grounds relied on by the applicant include that the properties listed in Schedule A hereunder were the properties declared by the Respondent in his Assets Declaration Form at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    It stated that investigation/inquiries have revealed that the properties listed in Schedule B also belong to the respondent and so belonged to him when he declared his assets in Schedule A.

    The applicant added that the properties listed in Schedule B were not declared in Ekweremadu’s assets declaration form. It added that preliminary investigation by the applicant reveals that a prima facie case of a breach of code of conduct for public officers had been made out against the respondent.

    But Ekweremadu, in a statement, defended his integrity.

    According to him, there is no asset to forfeit to the government.

    He said the filing of a motion for the recovery of his assets was part of the politics of the 2019 general election.

    He said in the statement by his Media Adviser Uche Anichukwu: “The attention of the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has been drawn to a motion ex-parte filed by Festus Keyamo Chambers on behalf of the so-called Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property for an order to temporarily forfeit assets it claimed the senator did not declare with the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB.

    “Senator Ekweremadu, however, wishes to state unequivocally that he declared all his assets with the Code of Conduct Bureau as required by law.

    “The so-called panel sought and obtained his Assets Declaration Forms, but could not look at them since it is clearly out on a vendetta and smear campaign championed by Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla.

    “This is clearly part of the politics of 2019, and is further exposing those who colluded with the dismissed former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike and his cronies to steal and doctor his will.

    “The Senator has, nevertheless, briefed his lawyers and will meet the panel in court.

    “Again, Senator Ekweremadu wishes to assure all his supporters and well-wishers that there is nothing to worry about. “Like others, this too shall pass.”

    Details of the properties are as listed below:

    Those in Abuja
    •No. 11, Evans Enwerem Street, Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo, Abuja.
    •Plot 2633 Kyami, Abuja.
    •Housing Estate (Plot 1106 CRD, Cadastral Zone 07-07, Lugbe, Abuja.
    •Plot 2782 Asokoro Extension, Abuja.
    •Houses at Citi Park Estate, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
    •Plot 1474 Cadastral Zone BD6, Mabushi, Abuja.
    •Congress Court, Abuja.
    •Flat 1, Block D25, Athletics Street, (24th Street) Games Village, Abuja.
    •Plot 66, 64 Crescent, Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja.Plot 1518, Maitama Extension, Abuja undeveloped land (purportedly valued at N10 Million);
    •Plot 2882, Asokoro Extension, Abuja (purportedly valued at N13 Million);


    Those in London
    •Flat 4 Varsity Court, Harmer Street, WIH 4NW, London.
    •52 Ayleston Avenue, NW6 7AB, London.
    In Dubai:
    •Room 1903, The Address Hotel, Downtown Dubai.
    •The Address Boulevard, 3901, Dubai
    •2 Flats of Burij Side Boulevard (the signature), Dubai
    •Emirate Gardens Apartment No. EGG1/1/114, Dubai.
    •Emirate Gardens Apartment No. EGG1/115, Dubai.
    •Apartment No. DFB/12/B 1204, Park Towers, Dubai.
    •Flat 3604, MAG214, Dubai.
    •Villa No 148, Maeen 1, The Lakes Emirates Hills, Dubai.


    Those in USA:
    •4507 Stella Street, Bellavida Estate Kissime, Florida, USA.
    •2747 Club Cortile Circle, Kissime, Florida, USA.
    •2763 Club Cortile Circle, Kissime, Florida, USA


    The Fed Govt added listed the properties declared by Ekweremadu in his assets declaration form of June 5, 2015, as contained in Schedule A to its application to include:


    •5 Bedroom Duplex & Boys Quarters, House A40 Apo Quarters, Apo, Abuja (purportedly acquired with a loan of N13.5 Million from Bank PHB);
    •10 Bedroom House with Guest Chalet & Boy Quarters, 2 Jim Nwobodo Street, Apo, Abuja (purportedly acquired with a mortgage loan of N412, 200, 000.00 from Aso Savings & Loan);
    •7 Bedroom House with Pent House & Boy quarters, Plot 147A Mabushi, Abuja (purportedly valued at N3, 471, 922.1 acquired with salaries & allowances);
    •2 RM Apartment, MAG 214 Dubai (purportedly bought for $ 50,000.00);
    •4 Bedroom Town House, The Lake Dubai (purportedly bought for $20,000.00);
    •4 RM Town House, Florida (he claims he bought this House from a loan of $155,000.00 gotten from PHB)
    •Plots 2 & 10, Republic Layout, Enugu (undeveloped land, purportedly valued at N4 Million);
    •2 RM Apartment, Burjside Boulevard, Dubai, UAE (he claims he bought it for $250,000.00);
    •One Room Apartment, Emirate Garden, Dubai, UAE (He claims he bought it for $60,000.00);
    •Park Tower, Dubai, UAE (He claims he bought it for $250,000.00);
    •3 Room Town House (2), Club Corticle, Orlando, USA (he claims he bought this property for $200,000.00);
    •4 Room House, Plot 1496 AI Thannyah, Fourth, Dubai, UAE (he claims he bought this property for $250,000.00);
    •4 Bedroom Terrace House, Games Village;
    •6 Bedroom Storey House & Boys Quarters, Amachara MPU, Enugu;
    •4 Bedroom House and Boy Quarters, Federal Housing Estate, Enugu;
    •3000 Square Meters of undeveloped land at Amachara, MPU, Enugu;
    •5 Hectares of land, Tutu District, Abuja.
    The government also gave details of Ekweremadu’s investments in and outside the country to include:
    •5, 100,000 – Citi Park Luxury Hotels Ltd (purportedly valued at N350 Million);
    •8, 000, 000 – Prime & Power Media Ltd ((purportedly valued at N30 Million);
    •300,000,000 – Bety Air Ltd ((purportedly valued at N5 Million);
    •40, 000 – Prime & Power Konsult Ltd ((purportedly valued at N42 Million);
    •50,000 – Power Properties Ltd (purportedly valued at N50 Million);
    •70,000 – Spider Construction Ltd (purportedly valued at N35 Million).


    In his assets declaration form on June 1, 2007, Ekweremadu was said to have declared the properties and investments listed below:


    •4 Bedroom Terrace House, Games Village, Abuja
    •A Storey Building at Amachara (MPU) (Country home)
    •A Storey Building & Boy Quarters with Boys Quarters at Federal Housing, Enugu;
    •Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo, Abuja;
    •2644.60 Square meters of undeveloped Land at Asokoro, Abuja;
    •1000.577 Square meters, Kurubuma Layout, Abuja
    •3000 Square meters, Amachara MPU.
    •40, 000 – Prime & Power Konsult Ltd (purportedly valued at N40 Million);
    •50,000 – Prime Properties Ltd (purportedly valued at N50 Million);
    •70,000 – Spider Construction Ltd (purportedly valued at N36 Million)

  • Buhari, Saraki, Ekweremadu, others mourn late Wakil

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of Sen. Ali Wakil from Bauchi State as “an incalculable’ loss to Nigeria’s democracy.

    The President in a condolence message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday, said that the death of the senator came as a great shock to him.

    President Buhari observed that late Wakil’s dedication to duty would remain one of the greatest virtues for which he would be remembered.

    “The passion for duty was one of the finest qualities of late Senator Wakil,’’ he added.

    He, therefore, urged other democratically elected leaders to borrow a leaf from the deceased’s record of dedication.

    While praying to Allah to bless the soul of the departed senator, President Buhari also extended his condolences to his family, his colleagues in the National Assembly, as well as the government and people of Bauchi State over the loss.

    In similar vein, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, also expressed sadness representative of Bauchi South Senatorial District at the Senate.

    A tearful Saraki, according to a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Saturday in Abuja, described the deceased as “vibrant lawmaker”, very passionate about his assignment in the Senate.

    “This is especially so with his chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation and other committees where he was a member.

    “Malam Ali Wakili is one lawmaker you can never be in doubt where he stands on a particular issue. He spoke his mind fearlessly.

    “His contributions at plenary were always very incisive and rich. I find it difficult to acknowledge that he will not resume plenary with us next Tuesday,” he said.

    “My heart goes out to his family, the 8th Senate and the government and people of Bauchi State over the loss of this conscientious and patriotic Nigerian. He shall be sorely missed,” he added.

    Saraki prayed Allah to grant Wakili a place among the righteous in Aljannah Firdaus and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Similarly, Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Wakili, describing him as a “diligent and courageous lawmaker”.

    He said: “I received with rude shock the news of the passing on of my friend, brother, colleague and ally, Distinguished Sen. Wakil Ali.

    “Senator Wakili’s stint at the National Assembly has no doubt been cut short, but it was long enough to prove himself a forthright, patriotic, diligent, and courageous politician.

    “He respected his conviction and loved his fatherland. He stood for what he believed was right and worked for the unity of Nigeria.

    “It is indeed a grave, personal loss to me, the Senate, and the entire nation. He will live on in our hearts.”

    Ekweremadu prayed God to grant eternal rest to the soul of the late Senator and support his family, people of Bauchi, and the nation with the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Late Wakil, 58, representing Bauchi South District under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), who was the chairman, Senate committee on Poverty Alleviation, died on Saturday.

    The deceased, a retired Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service, defeated the former Governor of the state, Malam Isa Yuguda during the 2015 elections, to become the senator representing Bauchi South.

    He attended Lere Primary School in Tafawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State from 1965 to 1972, proceeded to Government Secondary, School Damaturu in the then Borno, from 1972 to 1977,where he obtained his Senior School Certificate.

    From 1977 to 1979, he attended Bauchi College of Arts and Science and subsequently proceeded to Bayero University, Kano for his Degree course, graduating in 1982.

    He also attended the Nigerian Custom Training School, Lagos in 1984 and thereafter rose to the position of Comptroller of Customs in 1996 and retired in 2009.

    The late lawmaker, a member of the National Institute, left behind two wives, 10 children and other relations.

    He has since been buried a Gudu District Cemetery in Abuja around 2:00 p.m. after Islamic rites were performed on his remains at the National Mosque.

     

     

  • 2019: ‘Shine your eyes to avoid rigging,’ Ekweremadu tells Nigerians

    The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has advised Nigerians to be vigilante against the antics of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to avoid rigging in 2019.

    According to his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, Mr. Ekweremadu gave the assurance on Wednesday when he received national, zonal, and state youth leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his office.

    He also vowed that the National Assembly caucus of the PDP would not be intimidated from holding the government accountable, and would continue to speak the truth in defence of democracy.

    “Nobody should be deceived that they will rig election in 2019. The international community will also be watching; and like the late Sam Mbakwe said ‘if you are awake, the rat would never take your fish.’ So if we ‘shine’ our eyes, nobody will rig us out.

    “I’m sure some of you are now conversant with the misrepresentation of my statement on the floor of the senate last week where I cautioned against brigandage, impunity and thuggery and I said as leaders and politicians we must do the correct thing before we endanger our democracy. That is what I said.

    “Never bother about their propaganda. We will continue to speak the truth. We will continue to defend our democracy and urge our leaders to always do the right thing.

    “Sometimes, we may be misunderstood, but we will remain unrelenting. It was the great Nnamdi Azikiwe, who said that the best judge of human conduct is conscience.

    “Keep saying the right thing. The person you are speaking to is hearing you; someday his conscience will prick him and he will do the right thing”, he said.

    While explaining that the PDP will not let anyone truncate the nation’s democracy, the senator warned the youth against any form of electoral violence, describing it as “an ill wind that blows no man any good.

    “The days of violence are gone. We have to put on our thinking cap. Do not match any person violence for violence; but match them ideas over violence. It is ideas that rule the world,” he added.

    He further promised that the PDP would, upon return to power in 2019, work towards job creation, providing unemployment benefits to the youth, and reduction of age qualification for all political offices to 18 years.

    In his words, “Who says that we cannot pay unemployment benefits to the youth if we manage our resources well? We can.

    “The next PDP government will expand the political space for the youth by abolishing age limit so that franchise begins and ends with the number eighteen. Once you can vote, you should be voted for”.

    Earlier in his address, the National Youth Leader of the PDP, Udeh Okoye, said Nigerian youth had suffered under the All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration and were ready to support the PDP to return to power.

    The PDP youth also conferred an award on Mr. Ekweremadu for defending the nation’s democracy.

    Also speaking at the event, the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Minority Leader, Philip Aduda; and the Deputy Minority Whip, Biodun Olujimi, said the PDP would bounce back in 2019 to rebuild the nation.

  • Saraki lauds Ekweremadu’s appointment as Professor

    President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Sunday congratulated his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on his appointment as a Professor and Senior Mentoring Scholar of E-Governance and Strategic Government Studies, by the Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America, USA.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the appointment as well deserved in view of Ekweremadu’s academic bent, notwithstanding his crowded legislative and political responsibilities.

    “Your appointment did not come to me as a surprise. I am only surprised that it did not come much earlier,” Saraki said. “Southern University could not have made a better choice. I am confident that your performance on this role will surpass the expectations of the university council.”

    He further commended Ekweremadu for not only blazing an enviable academic trail but for being a good example to his contemporaries and up coming generations.

    “I am happy that this recognition has again proved that with the right education, one can break any ceiling in life. I want to urge Nigerians to continue to advance their educational career in other to acquire the necessary knowledge to drive governance and development both in the country and beyond,” Saraki stated.

    He noted that the international honour is a thing of pride for both the Senate and the entire country.

  • Saraki, Ekweremadu congratulate Eboe-Osuji on election as ICC President

    Senate President Bukola Saraki on Monday congratulated Mr Chile Eboe-Osuji, a Nigerian Judge, on his election as the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    TheNewsGuru.com reports this is the first time a Nigerian would be elected president of ICC.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja on Monday described the appointment of Eboe-Osuji as a development positive for Nigeria.

    He noted that the emergence of Eboe-Osuji during the 10th session of the Assembly of State Parties of the ICC, at the UN Headquarters in New York, was a testimony that Nigeria and Nigerians had what it took to continue to provide leadership at both local and global arena.

    While wishing the eminent jurist a successful tenure, Saraki said he was sure that the Judge would work to justify the confidence reposed in him by his colleagues who voted to elevate him to the position.

    “No doubt, the Presidency of the ICC represents a huge responsibility. It is my hope that Eboe-Osuji will help lead the Court to new levels of successes in the next three years,” Saraki said.

    Similarly, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said the election of Eboe-Osuji as the President of the ICC was an honour for Nigeria and the entire Africa.

    Ekweremadu, in a Statement by his Special Adviser (Media) Mr Uche Anichukwu said Eboe-Osuji’s emergence as President of the Court did not come as a surprise, given the jurist’s pedigree and wealth of experience.

    I congratulate you most warmly on this well deserved honour done to you and indeed Nigeria and Africa as a “whole.

    “Your emergence is indeed a boost to the determination of the ICC and the global community to end genocides, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression as well as help the victims to find justice.

    “You were well prepared for the elevation and onerous task by your sound education and experience.

    “You distinguished yourself both as a prosecution counsel at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and also as a senior legal officer to the Tribunal’s judges.

    “You also excelled in your service at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Legal Advisor to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in addition to the high profile cases you have been involved with since assuming office as a judge of the Court in 2012,” Ekweremadu added.

    Ekweremadu described the Imo State-born jurist, the first Nigerian to be elected as an ICC judge, as a worthy ambassador of the Nigerian legal and judicial system.

    The deputy senate president urged the ICC President to remain on the path of excellence and justice.

    Eboe-Osuji graduated with a Law Degree (LL.B) from the University of Calabar in 1985, before studying for a master of laws (LL.M) at the McGill University in Canada.

  • Drama as senator accuses colleague of planning to impeach Saraki, Ekweremadu, others

    There was mild drama at plenary on Thursday as a senator representing Ebonyi Central (PDP), Obinna Ogba accuses his colleague, Abdullahi Adamu, who was recently removed as chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, of planning to impeach the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and other principal officers.

    Ogba on Thursday tendered “evidences” he claimed were phone conversations between Adamu and some other people on alleged plans to remove Saraki and other members of the Senate leadership.

    Coming under Order 43 of the Senate standing order, Ogba urged the Senate to investigate the matter.

    “I rise this morning to bring to the notice of the Senate that there is a plan by some people in this Senate, maybe under the leadership of my distinguished colleague, particularly Senator Abdullahi Adamu. Mr. President, you remember in January, distinguished Senator Misau made a comment here that there was a plan to remove the Senate President and in fact the leadership.

    “Now, I have reliable information that some people are already planning to destabilise the Senate, including the Senate leadership by organising demonstration of which money is already exchanging hands. I believe that all of us are all leaders in this in this country and everybody who sees something that will destabilise the country or the Senate or even the democracy should avoid it. As we are here, if there is any going on, you have the opportunity to raise, not to go outside the chambers to start planning civil resistance; market women to come for demonstration against the leadership of the Senate.

    “Mr. President, I want this Senate to investigate this matter properly, I have evidence to show what I’m saying. There is a telephone conversation going on which any other person can also print it out, between senator Abdullahi Adamu and some other people.

    “When senator Misau raised it in January we didn’t take it as anything, I am saying this, we must stand up to look into this.”

    Mr. Ogba, after his presentation, proceeded to tender what he called ‘documentary evidences’ against Mr. Adamu.

    The Senate resolved to refer the matter to the committee on petitions to report back in two weeks.

    Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, pleaded with anyone planning to destabilise the country to desist from doing so.

    “The difference between military, autocratic regime and any other oppressive regime is the parliament. Once we remove the parliament, there is going to be problem. In whatever we do, we must continue to preserve the sanctity of the parliament. I want to appeal again that anyone planning to destabilise this country is not doing us any good,” he said.

    Recall that in January, while speaking on the appointment of the Director General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar, Isa Misau, Bauchi-APC accused a minister of leading a plot to remove the Senate President.

    “When we were on holiday, so many people were going behind that they should try and remove the senate president. And it was a minister that was spearheading that thing. What is the reason, they said that the senate president would leave APC that they should create problems for him (Saraki). What kind of country is this? Everything is about religion, about tribe,” he said

  • Ekweremadu meets UK Envoy, says Electoral Act, Constitution Amendments ready in matter of weeks

    Ekweremadu meets UK Envoy, says Electoral Act, Constitution Amendments ready in matter of weeks

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has assured that legislative work on the Electoral Act and the Constitution amendment would be concluded in a matter of weeks.

    He spoke on Monday when he received a delegation of the British High Commission in Nigeria led by the High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Arkwright.

    Ekweremadu, who expressed gratitude to the British government for always showing interest in state of the Nigerian union and her democracy, said that concluding the amendments to the Electoral Act and Constitution amendment was top on the priority list of the 8th National Assembly to ensure better governance and smooth elections in 2019.

    He said: “The 2019 election is very important to Nigeria. The amendments to the Electoral Act and the Constitution all form part of the ongoing electoral reform to continue to improve on the quality of our elections.

    “In the previous amendment, a timeframe was set for the determination of election petitions. Now we are working on setting a timeframe for pre-election matters. In the previous amendments, we also created a window for direct and indirect primary by political parties. In the current amendment, we want to make more elaborate provisions regarding direct party primaries for political parties that may wish to adopt it to ensure greater fairness, transparency, and internal democracy in choosing their flag bearers.

    “We are also working to lift the restrictions on the use of electronic voting by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. That way, it will be up to the election management body to determine if it is sufficiently prepared to deploy electronic voting or when to adopt electronic voting”.

    Ekweremadu was also of the view that the rearrangement of the order of election as passed by the House of Representatives if adopted by the Conference Committee of both Houses, would help the electorate to judge each candidate on his or her own merit at each level of election.

    “The bottom line is that the Conference Committees on both the Electoral Act and Constitution Amendment are meeting separately this week to conclude work on the entire amendments to ensure a smoother and more credible electoral process as well as promote good governance of the country”, he added.

    Earlier, the British High Commissioner, Mr. Arkwright, said they had come to see the Deputy President of the Senate on political developments, especially as it concerned the prospects for the Peoples Democratic Party and legislative activities of the National Assembly.

    “The legislative programme, which you have in the Senate and the National Assembly, the changes to the electoral laws are also important to us”, Arkwright concluded.

  • Like Jonathan, PDP; relinquish power if you lose in 2019, Ekweremadu tells Buhari, APC

    As the 2019 election year draws close, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to accept in good faith the outcome of the general elections should he lose.

    Mr. Ekweremadu charged the president to emulate his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, who not only ensured free and fair election in 2015, but relinquished power willingly.

    He said this while speaking at the parliament of the United Kingdom, UK, where he delivered a lecture titled ‘African Politics: The Dynamics and Lessons.’

    Details of the address was made available through a statement by his Special Adviser (media), Uche Anichukwu, on Friday.

    Mr. Ekweremadu said his advice became necessary owing to the pivotal and strategic roles Nigeria is playing in Africa.

    The statement quoted him as saying, “Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan put Nigeria on the global map as a leading democratic nation when he put in everything to ensure a free and fair election, in which he not only lost the presidential poll as an incumbent, but also willingly conceded defeat.

    “In fact, he called the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari, and congratulated him even before the announcement of the final results. In addition, neither former President Jonathan nor the PDP challenged the outcome of the election in court.

    “Therefore, to whom much is given, much is also expected. The onus is now on President Buhari to likewise provide a level-playing ground and show uncommon statesmanship if he and his party lose the 2019 presidential election. That way, Africa’s biggest democracy will further entrench the culture of peaceful and smooth transfer of power from a ruling party to the opposition in both Nigeria and Africa.”

    Mr. Ekweremadu warned President Buhari of the consequences of ‘manipulating’ the 2019 election. He charged Mr. Buhari to spearhead free and fair elections.

    He added that African countries should harness technological advantage in the whole electoral process.

    The statement quoted him further as saying, “Any attempt to manipulate the 2019 elections to the advantage of self or party will not augur well for peace and democracy not only in Nigeria, but the entire continent”.

    “Important too, in the present age of technology, I will like to see the countries of Africa deploying the latest technology in voter registration, vote counting, and announcement of results.

    “We must ensure that the process is sufficiently transparent and unarguably so, such that losers will see and be convinced that they lost fairly. That way, election tribunals will be eliminated,” he said.

    Mr. Ekweremadu advised African leaders to respect term limits, regretting that “Many African leaders do not seem to care about the law of diminishing returns, but you can never cheat nature.”

    “From Zimbabwe under former Robert Mugabe to Uganda under Yoweri Museveni, Cameroon Paul Biya; Equatorial Guinea under Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo,who has been in power since 1979; Republic of Congo under Denis Sassou Nguesso who ruled from 1979 to 1992 and returned again since 1997; and not also forgetting Togo under late President Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled the country for 38 years and now under his son, Faure Gnassingbe, who continued from where his father stopped amidst rising political tension, the story has not been pleasant.

    “Likewise, the sit-tight postures of President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir’s 28 years old regime in Sudan, President Idriss Deby’s 27-year rule in Chad, President Isaias Afwerki’s 24 years old leadership in Eritrea, President Paul Kagame’s 17 years old reign in Rwanda, and President Abdelaziz Bouteflika 18 years in power in Algeria are soul-dampening.

    “There are also emerging sit-tight regimes in Mauritania under Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz, Burundi under Pierre Nkurunziza, etc. President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who succeeded his father, the late Laurent Kabila, in 2001, has refused to step down after the expiration of his mandate. This has triggered political tension and protests in that country. This is disheartening.”

  • Benue massacre: Ekweremadu commiserates with Ortom, residents

    The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has joined the government and people of Benue State to mourn the victims of the recent suspected herdsmen attacks as they were given a mass burial earlier on Thursday in Makurdi, the state capital.

    Residents of Makurdi came out in hundreds to mourn as bodies of the victims of the attacks of January 1 and 2 in parts of the state were buried.

    Government offices, commercial banks, markets and schools were closed in the state capital in observance of the work-free day earlier declared by the state government in honour of the victims.

    Mr. Ekweremadu who expressed sadness over the preventable loss of lives in Nigeria, reiterated his call for decentralised policing in the country.

    In a statement signed by his special adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, he said: “This is a black Thursday, not only for the people of Benue State, but also for the entire nation. My heartfelt condolences go to the government and people of Benue State as the victims of the suspected herdsmen attacks are committed to mother earth.

    “While I join fellow Nigerians to pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of the victims and fortitude to those who lost their loved ones, let me reiterate that we must avert such future occurrences by urgently rethinking our security system.”

    The deputy Senate president called for a decentralisation of the country’s police system in order to enable every federating unit to take its fate in its own hand in effectively protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.

    “This is the primary object of government”, he said.

  • Ekweremadu: Reviving single-term tenure debate, By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Ekweremadu: Reviving single-term tenure debate, By Ehichioya Ezomon

    By Ehichioya Ezomon

    From true to fiscal federalism; from devolution of power(s) to creation of state police and prisons; from local council autonomy to self-accounting State Assembly; from Nigeria’s “feeding bottle economy” to N50,000 workers’ take-home pay; and from decentralized anti-corruption agencies to abolition of security vote, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu is like a lone voice in the wilderness, propounding issues that have profound effects on today’s mutually-distrustful Nigerian society.

    Whether debating at the plenary, hosting delegations in his legislative office, delivering lecture at an institution, or meeting with constituents at community town hall, the Deputy President of the Senate is perpetually on the political circuit, returning now and again, but from different perspectives, to the issues germane to the polity he’s been tracking and tackling for many years.

    His latest advocacy, which he has visited twice in weeks, is a six-year single term for the President and Governors, and this time, including members of the Legislature, both National and State Houses of Assembly that have no term limit, as per the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    A fresh angle, though, to the propagation is the rotation of the presidency among the six geopolitical zones in the country, which he rationalized in a discourse on “Restructuring and the Nigerian Youth” in Nsukka, Enugu State, last Friday.

    At the 3rd Adada Lecture organized by the Association of Nsukka Professors, Ekweremadu said that besides stopping the problem caused by the quest for a second term in office, the “single presidency tenure of six years that rotates among the six geopolitical regions will promote unity and loyalty to the nation.”

    He said single-tenure has stabilized democratic practice in countries in South America, particularly referencing Mexico, whose Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Garcia Moreno Elizondo, he hosted in Abuja in October.

    On that occasion, Ekweremadu said: “I’m aware that Mexico runs a six-year single term presidency, known as the Sexino. This is something Nigeria will be looking at because what we are doing now has a lot of difficulties.

    “So, we are looking at the possibility of a constitutional reform that can guarantee a single term so that the money we spend in running elections and the problem of chief executives struggling and concentrating to come back, using resources and instruments of state, can be overcome.”

    The single-term advocacy is part of a broader concept of the debate for the restructuring of Nigeria, which has hundreds of components as there are tribes and tongues in the society. Without specifically mentioning “restructuring” then, although he was later (in 2014) to convoke a National Conference in that realm, former President Goodluck Jonathan was to give some fillip to the solicitation in 2011.

    Hitherto, the hypothesis of single term of office only received staccato promotion over the years, but Dr. Jonathan made a big show of the proposal to send an amendment bill to the National Assembly, for its enactment into law, in order to “reduce the costs of elections, make politicians less focused on being re-elected and be more concerned with governance.”

    A statement on his behalf said that, “President Jonathan is concerned about the acrimony, which the issue of re-election, every four years, generates both at the federal and state levels. The nation is still smarting from the unrest, the desperation for power and the overheating of the polity that has attended each general election.”

    Although it said the change would not affect Jonathan’s tenure, and would come into effect from 2015, the motion, nonetheless, went up in smoke, as critics alleged it was a ploy to get his tenure elongated beyond 2015 when his election in 2011 would expire.

    Awaking the ghost of the “Third Term Agenda” reportedly pursued by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to prolong his tenure to 12 years (some said for life), politicians bandied un-evidenced reports of a secret “pact” Jonathan entered into with the hierarchy of the prior ruling Peoples Democratic Party, “for him to rule for one term of four years, ending in 2015.” He denied the said pact.

    Yet, as that presentation for action fell through, sceptics were almost proved right when Jonathan, “in spite of pressures and protestations from the North, stood for re-election in 2015,” and thus “bringing into play another possibility: the North ruling for more than eight years in a row.”

    All these assumptions, calculations, permutations, presumptions and probabilities are the militating problems in Nigeria’s political system that advocates say could be amicably resolved by restructuring, including a single-term tenure that Senator Ekweremadu has placed in the public domain once more.

    It holds water to accuse the Deputy President of the Senate of aiming to elongate his tenure, as the Legislature has no term limit. But by including lawmakers in the list of single-tenured elected officials, he’s saying it was time to give every segment of the Nigerian community equal hearing and participation, which a holistic restructuring of the polity could resolve by devolving more powers to the federating units.

    But will the Ekweremadu kite fly, especially among first term elected officials already eyeing second or more term(s) in power? Well, a better starting point would be to enlist the support and cooperation of members of the National Assembly for his profound proposition.

    * Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.